NSV!!!

Remember those jeans I was trying to squeeze into?


26 August 2010

Well I buttoned them up today!!!!


26 September 2010

I don't know why they are weird colours...but heck who cares, they fit!!

Oh and I hadn't realised until now that the photos are exactly 4 weeks apart!
Love my progress so far

18 kg down :D (39.6lbs)

Amazing weekend

First of all, my body hurts all over
Two rock shows in one weekend is crazy
I don't think I've done it before
But it was bloody amazing!
Here are a few pictures (my sister has the camera so these are a few I found of the show)



Oh and all that jumping and dancing really paid off
because since thursday I've already lost 1kg

PS. I am loving this restriction
I'm starting to feel in control of my portions and it feels amazing!

Weigh In and a busy weekend

Weighed in this morning at 108.5...meaning this week was a loss of 1.1kg (2.42lb)
That is such a great loss for me
It's evident that the fill really worked this time
Total lost so far is 17kg (37.4lb) =D

This weekend is going to be huge...and I think it's actually going to be a real challenge just fitting in time to eat!

My sister and I have two concerts this weekend!!
On Friday we are going to a To Write Love On Her Arms event
I love this charity. Seriously, more people need to support suicide prevention
To make it even more worthwhile is the fact that two of my fave Aussie bands are performing!

Stealing O'neal (above) are one of my fave bands. I have been to almost all their shows in Melbourne and I absolutely adore them. The boys are such nice guys and are always up for a chat.

The Getaway Plan (below) actually broke up last year, but are reforming to support the charity...and I'm really hoping they are back for good. I've been to over 20 of their shows...I'm a bit of a groupie, but I'm not a slutty one :P



And on Saturday we are going to another concert. We are seeing English bands You, Me at Six and Kids in Glasshouses, and are supported by US band the Audition. I must admit, I'm not a huge fan. But my sister asked me to go, and I live for live shows so I really don't mind who I see!

I'm defs in for a huge weekend. Pretty excited!!

Oh, just thought I would chuck in one of my fave photos of me and my second cousin. It's the perfect picture. Love her to death!

First stuck episode...

And it wasn't pleasant
I really wasn't careful today
I was nibbling on little things even though I wasn't even hungry

So I munched on a tiny piece of pasta
And I was sure that I had chewed it enough
But obviously not

The feeling of being stuck wasn't terribly painful
Just uncomfortable
The best way to describe it to my sister was likening it to when you swallow a piece of bread and peanut butter and it's formed a kind of goo in your throat
I got a sharp pain in my back and in my diaphragm

It was stuck for about 10 minutes while I was wriggling around and coughing trying to loosen it up
I eventually coughed over the sink and it all came back up

The fact that it wasn't as horrible and disgusting as vomit made me feel a bit better
I absolutely hate vomitting so I'm glad it wasn't that bad

I just never want it to happen ever, ever again!!

Thankyou

to everyone that replied to my last post

All is good
I was just a bit discouraged because she wasn't the only person who said that with lap band you can't lose 100% of your excess weight

But I'm strong and I know if I work hard all good things will happen :)

Blow to the guts

Last night I worked with one of the new receptionists
We got talking and she mentioned that she had lap band done 3 years ago

She was great with telling me what to expect
She lost 40kgs in the first 6 months and warned me about saggy skin

I don't want to be 22 and having to still cover up because of saggy, deflated skin

I'm also a bit disheartened by the fact that when I told her my goal weight she said I shouldn't keep my hopes up!
I told her that to be in my healthy range I need to lose about 70kg
She cringed a bit and said that the doctors only expect people to lose 50-60% of their EXCESS weight. So that means it's expected I would only lose about 35kg

I know alot of you girls have had amazing success
What's your secret?
I need hope!

I think I feel it

Restriction, that is!

This morning I decided to measure out my all bran
I had 1/4 cup of all bran, 1tbs protein powder and just over 1/4 cup milk
I feel absolutely stuffed now!
I didn't have any pain signals to stop
I ate all of it but now I feel so full

let's hope this feeling lasts until lunch!

Fill number TWO

Just got home from my second fill

I told her that I felt no restriction after my first one so she put in an extra 2cc today
The first fill didn't hurt as much as this one
The needle was fine
It was the kneading of my stomach to find the port that was a bit uncomfortable
My stomach is just a bit tender now

Hopefully this fortnight I will have great results because by her scale I only lost half a kilo

My new love is...

All Bran!

Holy cow it is a lifesaver
This may be TMI but since surgery I had only managed to "Go" once a week
I was feeling bloated all the time and I attribute it to my plateau

But man ever since I've started eating All Bran everything is 100% better

So glad I got the courage to try it
Tastes a bit bland, but helps so much

I've broken through the plateau

I have finally started losing weight again

Weigh in today was 109.6kg
Total lost this week was 0.5kg (1.1lb)
Not too great but my ultimate goal is at least a loss of half a kilo each week so right on target

Total loss so far is 16kg
:)

I also just finished off a half hour session on the wii fit
I did 10 mins on the treadmill at high speed...got my heart rate up very quickly lol
Then I made up a yoga and muscle training routine
Boy am I sore
I used muscles I didn't think I had
I feel really good though, I was so ready to give up half way but if I did then it wouldn't add up to my daily exercise total on the wii so it was a good incentive to keep going
Very proud of myself :P

I'm shrinking!!!

I am so excited =D

I was thinking of going to Target to get some jeans
and I hadn't measured in a while so I was comparing the size chart with my old measurements.

I thought that because I hadn't lost much weight since those measurements then I wouldn't probably have lost any cms

Well boy was I wrong!!
I've now lost a total of 62cm (24.4")

Such a brilliant morning...can't wait to go shopping :P

Dear Oprah...

...My ultimate dream would have been to see you at least once in my life
And then you decide that you are coming to Australia, but we aren't invited?!

Ahhhhh I cried when I found out that Oprah was heading down under
But then I got a bit angry when I found out that she is bringing an audience with her!

Bit unfair isn't it?!

Ah well, I plan on stalking her down while she is here hahaha

Just needed to vent my frustration!



*EDIT*: It was just announced that she will be releasing a number of tickets to her Aussie fans but it will be by ballot. Therefore, I highly doubt that I'll be one of the chosen ones =(

Treadmill vs. Exercise Bike

Like most people, I hate exercising with a passion!

I would love to be able to afford a gym membership and a personal trainer but at the moment I'm too preoccupied with uni to be able to commit to something like that

My parents own a weights machine, treadmill and stationary bike
I really love the bike, but it's in the garage and mum is very pedantic about bringing things inside

I really need to do something though, especially with the plateau that I've become stuck in

What exercise do you all enjoy doing?
I think I might sneak the bike inside so I can at least watch tv or read
But I've heard that stationary bikes don't provide great workouts unless you go to a spin class

Photo Blog :)

My Progress Photo Blog

Hi ladies

I've decided to create a separate blog just for photos
I take heaps and heaps of random pics so I thought I might as well document my progress somewhere

Here's a pic that I took yesterday
I may sound a bit narcissistic but I just love it!

I don't want to fail...

But I have been starving the past week and have been eating so much junk
Although I don't think I have been exceeding my calorie intake, I still find myself craving and nibbling on junk food

The first fill was useless...
for some reason it made me even more hungry

I'm hoping that the doctor will give me a bigger fill next week instead of the routine 1.5cc

I'm trying so hard to restrain myself
But I find myself hungry every single hour of the day!

I guess I'm not the only one that this has happened to,
but it is really frustrating!


On a brighter note, this is a photo I took today
I bought a new top and new eyeliner and needed to show them off =P

Constant reminder...

That rescue IS always possible

I've finally come to realise that no matter how stuck or helpless I might feel, there is always a way out and there is always someone I can turn to

It took me a while to believe this,
But as I lose weight, I am finally breaking free from the box I've locked myself in for so many years

Just remember that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and you just have to persist at working your way out

One month down =)

This was the "holy cow" pre-op picture I was referring to in an earlier post =P


So tomorrow will mark exactly 4 weeks since surgery
I didn't lose anything this week
But since surgery I've lost 5kg (10.8lbs)
All up though I've lost 15kg (33lbs)
I really need to get out of this plateau I'm in
I think I should up my exercise and it's such a beautiful day outside so I'm thinking I should make the most of it and go for a long walk
I know I shouldn't stress out, because I've done great so far
But even a 100gram loss would have motivated me

The biggest change is in my clothes
Yet these last few days have been fat days for me
Everything I try on seems to look horrible and it's really getting me down

I might go to the shops tonight for some retail therapy and buy something nice
Maybe I'm feeling horrible because all my clothes look like tents?
My work pants and jeans are constantly falling off and for the first time in a long time I need to hoist them up with a belt!


This was taken on 29th August

Plateaus are sucky

I have been at the same weight all week and it is really not doing anything good for my motivation

The fill did jack all and I'm still as hungry as I was before it
I have to wait another 2 weeks before I get my next fill and at this rate I doubt I would have lost anything by then

I really need to start counting my calories because I'm constantly nibbling

I've been walking most days and still no loss!

How do I get out of this?!

Morning Restriction?

I think I can feel some kind of restriction this morning
I haven't eaten anything because I've been getting some sharp pains around my chest and stomach
Not sure if this is the morning restriction everyone is talking about
But I'm too scared to eat just in case it all comes back up again!

I guess this whole process is a learning experience and everyone is different
But could someone explain to me what this might be?

I'm starting to learn...

Post-op Appointment & First Fill =D

Hello Lovelies!

Sorry I haven't updated in a while
Things haven't been so good these last few days food-wise
I have been craving anything and everything!
Doesn't help that it's TTOM
But Bandster Hell has driven me insane. I'm constantly hungry and choosing all the wrong foods

Today I had my first Post-Op appointment
I was under the impression that I would meet up with my surgeon and I wouldn't be able to get a fill because it's only been 3 weeks out
But I went and the surgeon wasn't even working!
I met with one of the other Drs though, and she was wonderful
So friendly and really helpful
I told her how hungry I was and that I hadn't had any problems with food
She said I could start easing myself onto solid foods
And then she gave me a fill!
She made sure I understood that she might not be able to get to the port today because she could feel that my stomach was still swollen
But she got it on the first try!
Wasn't painful at all and the whole process was so quick!

She told me I have a small band- 10cc
and today she put in 1.5cc
I'm on liquids for the remainder of the day and then mushies for the rest of the week
Then solids!
She was so proud of me because of how much weight I've already lost :)

I'm so happy right now :)
This fill came at the right time because I think I was plateauing there for a while

Now off to work...*sigh*

Get to know me better :)

My sister and I in Disney Land 1995 and at a wedding 2007



I saw this on Maria's blog and thought it was a great way for you to get a better sense of who I am...

Oh and because I have a tonne of homework to do and really cannot be bothered!

A
- Age: 21
- Annoyance: People who are too consumed by their relationships that they leave their friends behind
- Animal: I don't have any pets but would love a cute little dog. I'm also fascinated by Zebras and Giraffes. Completely terrified of Birds!
- Actor: Hmm tough one. I love comedians like Seth Rogan and Adam Sandler, and have always loved Drew Barrymore, Sandra Bullock and Queen Latifah. I also have a great admiration for Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray).

B
- Beer: Gross! Even if I was desperate for alcohol I wouldn't even go near that stuff
- Birthplace: Melbourne, Australia
- Body Part on opposite sex: Smile, Eyes...and Hair
- Been in Love: Not yet...but I have plenty of time for that
- Been bitched at: Oh plenty. It's what high school is all about, right?
- Believe in yourself?: More and More each day
- Believe in God: Deep down I do. But I was basically forced to practice the Catholic faith and it's caused me to question what values I do and don't believe in.
- Before weight: 125kg

C
- Car: Purple 2 door Ford Festiva
- Candy: I don't have any faves. Chocolate is my guilty pleasure though
- Color: Again, no faves! I do wear alot of blacks, greys and reds though
- Cried in school: Plenty! My mum got really sick when I was in High School and it was a horrible time...so I cried to my friends probably everyday sometimes
- Chocolate/Vanilla: Mmmm Chocolate!
- Chinese/Mexican: I really barely ever go out to eat and most of the stuff mum cooks at home is European food. But I've had some Mexican and I've liked it
- Cake or pie: Well I don't know what you would call Pie here in Australia. But I like Cheesecakes and Tarts
- Country to visit: Well I've never been to Greece before and I've always had a fascination with Prague...but I'll be going to both those countries next year :P
- Day or Night: Night
- Do the splits?: I actually used to be able to...In primary school! haha

E
- Eggs: Love them no matter how they are cooked
- Eyes: Mine have always been dark, dark brown...almost black

F
- First crush: Oh Gosh I remember having crushes in first grade but I don't remember any of their names :P
- First thoughts waking up: Please can I have a few more hours sleep!
- Food: Mediterranean food...Pasta, Pasta, Pasta! Pity about all the carbs though =S

G
- Greatest Fear: Losing my parents or sister. I am extremely protective of her!
- Goals: Keep on travelling, but would love to settle down one day and have the perfect career and family
- Get along with your parents?: I get along with my dad just fine. I'm completely a daddy's girl. Never really had a good relationship with mum though.
- Good luck charm: Never had one

H
- Hair Color: I have had just about every colour you could think of. My natural colour is dark brown. That's what it is like at the moment.
- Height: 149cm, 4ft 11"
- Happy: Most of the time. Although this past year, uni has been a nightmare :(
- Holiday: Don't really have a favourite holiday. Christmas depresses me because I'm always jealous about what everyone else gets haha
- Health freak?: Ah if I was I wouldn't be this overweight!
- Hate: Hypocrites, Slutty girls, People to crave attention 24/7

I
- Ice Cream: Anything with crunchy bits in it! We have one called Hocky-Pocky here and it had little balls of caramel and honeycomb in it. Yum!
- Instrument: The only instrument I learnt was the Recorder...but that's because back when I was in Primary School just about every student was taught it

J
- Jewellery: I don't generally wear jewellery besides my earrings. I have 7 ear piercings all up. I also wear a bracelet that my sister made which has a peace sign pendant.
- Job: Medical Receptionist and Check-Out Chick =P

K
- Kids:No kids yet...maybe in another 15 or so years haha
- Kickboxing or karate: I've never done either of them. But I would love to try kickboxing
- Keep a journal? I used to. But now I blog to keep track of what I've done

L
- Longest Car Ride: 18 hours from Melbourne to Queensland. We made sure we stayed somewhere overnight to break up the trip
- Love: Music and my sister
- Laughed so hard you cried: Sure have!
- Love at first sight: Not sure really. Maybe Lust but not Love

M
- Milk flavor: Iced coffee flavoured milk!
- Movie: I have so many! I've always loved Parent Trap (poor lindsay, she was so sweet and innocent), Mean Girls, Little Miss Sunshine, Never been kissed.
I also really love small Indie films like Adventureland and Virgin Suicides.
- Mooned anyone?: Ahh no
- Marriage: Nope
- Motion sickness? Only when I read in the car
- McD’s or BK: We don't have burger king here...so Maccas I guess. If I had to choose anyways!

N
- Number of Siblings: 1 younger sister (19)
- Number of Piercings: I currently have 3 pairs of ear lobe piercings and 1 cartilage piercing on my left ear. I had my nose pierced and one stage and had 2 extra cartilage piercings.
- Number: 26 or 31

O
- One wish: Love

P
- Place you’d like to live: Malta. Happening next year baby!
- Perfect Pizza: Thin crust, Not too much sauce. I love Capricciossa pizza...but I hate mushrooms lol
- Pepsi/Coke: If I had to choose it would be Coke. But I barely ever drink it.

Q
- Questionaires: Are good when you feel like procrastinating!

R
- Reason to cry: I seriously cry at anything and everything! Put on Oprah and I'll be sobbing for the whole hour!
- Reality T.V.: I cannot get enough of it! Love the Hills and the City!
-Roll your tongue in a circle? I don't even think I can

S
- Song: I never have a favourite song. It changes every minute!
- Shoe size: 10. I have a short but wide foot :(
- Salad Dressing: Not really a fan
- Skipped school: Once! I basically forced my friend to help me ditch class because it was my final year of high school and it was an experience I needed to have before I graduated!
- Smoking: I don't smoke. But I used to smoke socially.
- Sing well?: I think I can. I've always loved singing but I'm too shy to perform in public!
- Strawberries/Blueberries: Strawberries
- Time for bed: Whenever I feel like I need to crash!
- Thunderstorms: Love them when I'm safe inside!
- TV: I watch WAY too much TV! My all time favourite TV show is Gilmore Girls. At the moment I love Pretty Little Liars, Make it or break it, Huge, Parenthood. I also love That 70s Show, LA ink and the OC.

U
- Unpredictable: Not really unfortunately =( I wish I was but people know me too well!

V
- Vegetable you hate: Mushrooms, Squash, Eggplant, Zucchini
- Vegetable you love: Broad beans, Peas, Potatoes, Green Beans, Snow Peas
- Vacation spot: Anywhere warm

W
- Weakness: Anything Sweet
- When you grow up: I want to travel the world and have a family. Oh and be a practising Psychologist.
- Which one of your friends acts the most like you: My sister is my best friend and we pretty much think on the same wave length
- Wanted to be a model?: Nope

X
-X-Rays: Does ultra sound count?

Y
-Year it is now: 2010
-Yellow: Pastel yellow is gorgeous

Z
- Zoo:Werribee Zoo is about 10 minutes from my house. It's like an African Safari Park and it is amazing! My dad is actually there right now...he volunteers there on weekends.
- Zodiac sign: Aquarius. But I don't really believe in horoscopes.

Feeling Great

We've had a treadmill in our house for a few years now
I was actually the one who begged and begged for one when I was in highschool
It was fun for a while and then the novelty wore off
Since then it's basically been collecting dust

So today my mum took it out for me
When I did use it all those years ago, I could probably only last 5-10 minutes and then get bored or be too worn out to finish
But today, I lasted a full half hour and still wasn't puffed!
And I actually kind of enjoyed it!
It's amazing how 15kg can make a huge difference

I do plan on signing up to a gym though because the local gym offers 15 personal training sessions in the year and they follow your progress

But for the time being, I'm going to aim to walk at least 30 mins a day and work up my speed



I was so tempted to try out some moves but I feared I would break my neck :P



Also...I tried refried beans today!
I didn't think I would be able to find them but I did phewww
I've never had them before but everyone was raving about them so I thought why not
Didn't know what to do with them at all
So I made an omelet and scooped a tbs of beans in the middle and made it like a wrap
It's delicious
Seriously, so so good!

Best. Dinner. Ever!

First of all,
I would just like to thank every single one of you ladies who are reading my blog and commenting and supporting me
Without you girls I doubt I would have been as successful as I've been so far
I wish I could meet all of you and give you a big big hug!
I really appreciate all your kind words and advice :)

Now back to the delicious dinner!
I was sick of having the same foods everyday so I decided to spice it up a bit
Mum and I made some mince patties for dinner tonight
They were so easy!
Mince, onion, parsley, a little ketchup and mustard, salt & pepper
That's it!
I made them really small and froze a few so I can have them this week
I feel a little guilty though because I didn't have any veggies with them...actually haven't had any veggies all day =S
I'll have a glass of v8 later because I regret not having anything!
But anyways with the patties I decided to have a somewhat burger (without the bun/salad)
I chucked on an egg and topped it off with a teaspoon of avocado
So delicious! Oh my gosh it was to die for

I've been so lucky so far with my food
Nothing's been stuck yet, everything went down fine and no PBing or discomfort while eating
Touch wood that it will stay that way!!